We're In Research Too

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In this week's episode, we dive into the world of Inclusive Design with two trailblazers from Electronic Arts (EA), Faith McGee and Natashia Tjandra. They share their insights and experiences on creating games that are accessible and engaging for everyone, regardless of ability or background.

Join us as Faith and Nat discuss:

• The 10 Neurodiversity Experience Heuristics
• The challenges and opportunities in designing for diverse audiences
• Hiring strategies to bring unique perspectives and drive innovation
• How Inclusive Design principles are being applied to AI development to address these biases
• & more

Faith McGee brings over a decade of expertise in Inclusive Research to top Fortune 500 companies, including Zelle Pay, Capital One, Target, and Meta. Currently, as the Research Manager for Player and Employee Experiences at Electronic Arts, Faith drives innovation in inclusivity, focusing on issues such as low vision, depression, and neurodiversity to create more accessible and resilient products.
Natashia Tjandra is a Research Director at Electronic Arts, where she leads the Technology organization’s research vertical focusing on Player and Employee Experiences. With over 11 years of experience in Product Design, Strategy, and Inclusive Research, Natashia is a noted speaker and advocate for underrepresented groups, and co-authors the book Revolution as a Habit: Using Inclusive Research Every Day with Faith McGee.

Links and Resources:

• Faith's Neurodiversity Experience Heuristics Website
• Faith’s LinkedIn Profile
• Faith's Website
• Nat’s LinkedIn Profile

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review on your listening app of choice and sharing it with your friends. Your support helps us continue to bring you valuable content!

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In today’s episode, I speak to Cynthia Harris, founder of 8:28 Consulting, live at IIEX North America 2024.

We discussed Cynthia's journey to her current position, the main reason she switched to running her own consulting company, and the concept of Black Joy. We delved into the evolution of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) over the past two decades, its negative connotations, and Cynthia's suggested approach. We had a blast talking about companies that have successfully implemented DEI practices and shared our experiences of the tangible benefits of prioritizing DEI in research.

Want to connect with Cynthia?
Cynthia's LinkedIn
8:28 Consulting's Website
Email: [email protected]

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In today's episode, I speak with Nina Jennings, who is the Manager of UX Research in Core UX at Google, and her husband, Barry Jennings, who is the Director of Commercial Cloud and Business Planning Insights at Microsoft.

Nina and Barry share their journey, both individually and  collectively, on how they got to where they are today. We talk about the balance of work and family, learn more about their adventurous sides, discuss their projects and travel plans outside of the workplace, and get the inside scoop on how they're spending the holidays.

More about Nina:

Nina Jennings is a highly accomplished technologist, creative, and coach. She has a background in engineering psychology and currently holds the position of Manager of UX Research in Core UX at Google. Prior to joining Google, Nina held significant roles in User Research at HBO (HBOMAX), Amazon (Device & Design Group), Dell Computer Corporation, Microsoft, Intuit (TurboTax), and Life Technologies.
Nina's expertise spans various technology sectors, including hardware, software, SaaS, IaaS, streaming, and Service Design. She has also provided consultancy services for cross-cultural projects in more than ten countries. In addition to her technological achievements, Nina is a prolific author, having written over 20 published works of fiction, three non-fiction books, award-winning films, and several plays, including the music accompanying them. Her literary works address important topics such as young adult internet safety, women's issues, and date rape within fictional contexts. An Avid community volunteer, she volunteers for STEAM efforts focused on Black Children and Design Thinking for Non-Profit Service Design.
Nina has been recognized with nominations for the NAACP Image award for Literary Excellence and short listed for A Doctorow Award in Innovative Fiction. She has received several African American Literary Awards. She is the curator of The Writing Sisters Summit and Unapologetic: The Retreat. These annual events provide participants with a unique opportunity to nurture their creativity in all aspects of their lives. Furthermore, Nina is a 500-hour Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) and teaches yoga and mindfulness both virtually and at conferences. In addition to terminal degrees in both Industrial Psychology and Writing, She is completing her training at the Hudson Institute of Coaching.

& More about Barry:

Barry Jennings is the Director of Commercial Cloud and Business Planning Insights for the Microsoft’s Research + Insights group. He has over 30 years of experience in market research, starting on the supplier side as a phone survey researcher while still in college. He later worked on international technology brand-related market research at Millward Brown/IntelliQuest. Barry spent 18 years at Dell in research roles that covered almost every product category the company offered in the consumer and B2B space. He then moved into the mobile space by joining BlackBerry, where he was the leader of market research and competitive intelligence focused on business-to-business solutions. At Microsoft, Barry and his team provide insights to drive the company’s cloud marketing and commercial business planning groups.                             

Barry’s research focus includes product marketing research for cloud computing, data platforms, artificial intelligence, developer tools, and business planning research focused on Microsoft’s IaaS, PaaS and SaaS businesses.

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In today’s episode, I speak with Alanna Shipley, Head of Audience Insights at Doordash and dear friend, about all things consumer insights.
 
 Alanna recounts her experience getting into research, her roles at Proctor & Gamble and Levi’s, and how she built the Doordash insights team from the ground up.
 
 Some of the topics we discuss include:

• Working out of binders, cold calls, shelf tests, & everything that went into data research when Alanna and I both began in this industry
• Alanna’s involvement in body diversity research at Levi’s
• Knowing and identifying delivery trends at Doordash
• New Doordash campaigns
• Teaching the relationship between psychology and insights at Yale
• Consumer experiences & more!

Want to connect with Alanna?
 Alanna's LinkedIn

Also- Join me September 21st and 22nd in the 37th Annual Las Vegas Insights Conference here

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In today’s episode, I sit down with Everett Dang, a Gen-Z-empowered-POC (Asian-American) currently working at Delta Air Lines. 
A budding lion, Everett stumbled into Market Research at the end of 2022 after spending his first few years out of school in various data analytical roles. Everett represents a fresh perspective in the workforce, and is passionate about trying to influence large organizations like Delta to embrace and celebrate inclusivity at the individual employee level.

We cover how Everett found his way into market research, the numerous roles he’s had at Delta, and what it’s like to be a young person finding their way in corporate America.

I also talk to him about what it’s like being a first-generation Gen-Z POC growing up, the recent overturning of affirmative action, and Everett gives us a peak into what Gen-Z is actually enjoying these days. I ask him what media they're consuming, what brands they're connecting with, and what they are actually looking for from a consumer standpoint.

Thank you to Everett for your wonderful insights, and thank you to all my listeners for tuning in!

If you would like to connect with Everett you can find him on LinkedIn here.

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In this episode, we speak with Sarah Mitchell, the Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, and John Calloway Jr., the Executive Director of DEI & Social Impact, also known as the Cultivating Community team from Trulieve.

The episode explores Trulieve's efforts to help educate people on the benefits of marijuana, as well as their passion for volunteering and helping underserved communities. We talk about the misinformation spread from the war on drugs, as well as their recent event with Ambassador Andrew Young, and dive into the Safe Banking Act and its potential impact on the cannabis industry.

Tune in to hear more about Trulieve's commitment to cannabis education, community outreach, and advocacy efforts.

As mentioned in the episode, there is currently only one POC-owned multi-state cannabis company, which is Cookies.

Connect with the Trulieve Team:
Trulieve Website
Trulieve Instagram
Trulieve LinkedIn
Trulieve Twitter
Trulieve Facebook

John's LinkedIn
Sarah's LinkedIn

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If you didn't already know, POC only make up 7% of the research field (yes, you read that right).

It's only fitting that our Black History Month episode of We're In Research, Too be a deep dive into the realities of being a black researcher. 

We get into the nitty gritty, discussing how to get into research as a person of color, how the research community is falling behind on adapting to black culture, and share groups like Culture MRX that are working to provide safe spaces for POC and create the change we are ready to see.

More about Sequoyah:

Sequoyah's Website

Sequoyah “DataBae” Glenn, MBA has created her own lane within the
space of advertising by activating her passion for being as analytical as she is
creative. Sequoyah’s 10-year career spans various media and entertainment
companies and ad agencies.

Sequoyah’s career has allowed her to learn the business – what customers
need, how they feel about their favorite (or not-so-favorite) brands, and how to
drive positive, revenue-generating results. Sequoyah’s strategy and insights
have led to the successful campaigns of some of the biggest brands
worldwide.

In 2019, Sequoyah went on to found the Black Marketers Coalition, and
shortly after, 924 CoOperative (2020), and HappyResignationDay.com, and
CultureMRx (2022). When she’s not leading her businesses, she serves as
an Advisor to the University of South Florida’s Customer Experience
Certificate program; plus a founding board member of the Jacksonville
University Black Alumni Network and proud member of The A Pledge,
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc, WIRe, and much more.

Connect with Sequoyah:

Sequoyah's Linkedin
Sequoyah's Instagram

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In this week’s episode, I speak with April Showers about her journey through entrepreneurship and all of the work and success she has found with her brand Afro Unicorn.

Afro Unicorn is a brand designed to represent the uniqueness of women of color in a truly diverse and inclusive fashion. April birthed the idea in 2019, and has since turned it into clothing, accessories, and even party supplies.

In May of 2022, Afro Unicorn secured a collaboration deal with Walmart, making her the first black woman to own a licensed character sold by a major retailer. As if that isn't enough, April is also an established real estate agent and insurance business owner.
 

Shop Afro Unicorn

Connect with April & Afro Unicorn:

April's Instagram
Afro Unicorn Instagram
April's LinkedIn
Afro Unicorn Facebook

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In this episode, I talk to Hana Jacover, Chief Hyper Officer and coach at Hype House Consulting & Coaching, which provides a modern and customized coaching engagement to give guidance and tools to proactively impact the careers of high performers and future leaders. 

Some of the topics we touched upon include:

• How Hana stepped into her business and began creating her own reality.
• How Gen-Z and other younger folks can find their footing in the workforce
• The importance of mentorship, what to look for and how to find it
• Why the responsibility of accessibility is actually in the hands of companies & businesses

If you're interested in hearing more about Hana's takes on Web3, crypto, and the metaverse, tune in at the end of this episode to listen to our bonus content! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with a friend! 

Get in touch with Hana:
LinkedIn: @HanaJacover
Twitter: @hypewomanhana

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Welcome to the We're In Research Too Podcast!

This week's episode I talk to Sonia Thompson, an inclusive marketing expert (and my mentor!) about all things Juneteenth, the importance of representation for the next generation, brands that are doing inclusion right, and more.

Sonia's Bio:

Sonia Thompson is an inclusive marketing strategist, coach, and educator and CEO of Thompson Media Group, where she helps companies deliver inclusive and remarkable customer experiences that win diverse customers and talent. She also writes columns for both Forbes and Inc. where she covers how belonging, inclusive marketing, and remarkable customer experiences fuel growth and customer loyalty. Sonia is also host of the Inclusion & Marketing podcast.

Sonia's website: https://inclusivemarketing.co/